Hoisting mechanism.



1. B. PHILLIP S. HOISTING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION man FEB. 26, ms. I I 1 316,604. Patented Feb. 20, 1917.

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JfB. PHILLIPS.

HOISTING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED maize. 191s.

Patented Feb. 20,1917.

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1. B. PHILLIPS. HQISTING MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED Fl-18.26, 191s.

Patented Feb. 20, 1917.

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In'UCHtOPF') 1W 4 cairn err JAMES B. PHILLIPS, OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

HOISTIN G MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent. 5 Patented Feb, 20, 1917.

Application filed February 26, 1916. Serial No. 80,738.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES B. PHILLIPS,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Portland, in the county of Cumberland and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hoisting Mechanism, of. which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to hoisting mechanism of the type which is generally used for discharging coal from vessels and which makes use of the so called clam shell buckets. It is particularly applicable to hoisting plants in which the power is furnished by an electric motor.

These clam shell buckets or grabs have two opposing jaws which are usually open when the bucket descends and which bite into the mass of coal or other material, the jaws closing as the bucket ascends with its load.

These buckets are provided with two ropes with corresponding drums, one, the main hoisting rope, being attached directly to the bucket for taking the direct strain of the load and the other or closing rope, being so connected that when a strain is put on the rope the jaws of the bucket are pulled together. he jaws of the bucket are so pivoted and counter-weighted that when the bucket hangs by the main hoisting rope alone, the jaws will open by the action of their counter-weights.

As these. buckets have usually been oper-' ated each of the drums was connected with a power shaft by means of friction clutches whichwere operated by levers controlled by the operator. The bucket was lowered into the mass of coal by the main hoisting rope the closing rope being allowed to run slack so that the jaws were open when the bucket descended. As the bucket by its weight settled into the mass of coal, the closing drum friction was thrown in causing the jaws to close and filling the bucket with its load. After-the bucket closed. the closing rope still continued its pull taking the entire strain of the loaded bucket. As soon as the bucket closed and begun to move upward, the main hoisting friction was thrown in and the main hoisting rope which had meanwhile been slack, became taut and both ropes then took the strain, dividing it between them until the top of the hoisting was reached.

From what has been said, it will be seen that the entire strain due to closing the jaws and lifting the bucket was suddenly taken by the closing drum. It is a Well known fact that the sudden application of a heavy load on.an electric motor, requires a large reserve of electric power to be used,

the indicator on the ammeter rises to a peak and the sudden load is liable to cause great fluctuations in the voltage of the line. As a matter of fact in the case of an electric hoisting plant in a New England city each time the power was put on to close and lift, the bucket under the above conditions, a marked fluctuation of the lights was noticed throughout the entire circuit in which the hoisting plant was located.

The object of myinvention is to remedy this difficulty and to insure the gradual ap plication of power at the beginning of the hoist by causing each rope to successively take its portion of the strain without bringing the entire strain suddenly on either or both of the ropes.

. To accomplish this result, I apply a constant friction to the closing drum during the hoisting movement, this friction being sufii cient to close the jaws but not suflicient to lift the loaded bucket, the main hoisting drum'being controlled by a friction clutch in the usual manner.

' Thus, when the power of the motor is applied the jaws of the bucket will close and the closing drum will then begin to slip on its shaft as the friction is not sufiicient to lift the loaded bucket. drum clutch is now thrown in, a large portion of the weight is already being taken by the closing drum and the strain on the hoisting rope and drum is relatively small. The entire strain is thus applied in two parts, one following another and thus relVhen the main lieving the motor of sudden and excessive My invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawing in whichI have illustrated one form of a hoistdrum and flange 17 section of the motor and ing mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention omitting reference to the controlling mechanism worked by the operator as not being necessary to the understanding of the invention.

Referring to the drawing,

Figure 1 is a general elevation of coal tower such as is commonly used for discharging coal from vessels and which will. illustrate the principles of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a detail of two of the band brakes.

Fig. 3 is a detail of theclam shell bucket.

Fig. 11s a part front elevation and part hoisting drums.

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the right hand end of Fig. 1 showing the hoisting drum with certain parts omitted.

Fig. 6 is a section and end elevation taken on the line a: as of Fig. 1 and showing the bed of the machine in elevation.

Fig. 7 is an elevation of certain operating levers and their connections.

Fig. 8 is a section on w m of Fig. 9.

Fig. 9 is aplan of the end of the closing drum' and adjacent parts with portions cut away.

And Fig. 10 is a detail elevation showing the disk and flange of the adjacent drum in section on the line 11 of Fig. 5.

In the several drawings, similar figures of reference indicate similar parts.

Referring to Fig. 1, 1 indicates generally the tower which carries the entire hoisting mechanism, 2 is the clam shell bucket here shown as the Hayward bucket, so called, 3 is the direct hoisting rope, 1 is the closing rope, 5 is the trolley boom, 6 the trolley carried thereby, 7 the trolley rope running over pulleys 7 and 7by which the trolley is drawn out, 8 is the trolley drum and 9 is the hopper into which the coal is discharged.

These parts so far described are all old, common and well known in coal towers and need no further description.

Referring to Figs. 2, 4t, 5, 6, '7, and 8 an electric motor 1.0 of suitable size is provided for furnishing the necessary power, 11 being the motor shaft which is coupled to the main hoisting shaft 12.

Mounted loosely on the shaft 12, is the closing drum 13 on which is wound the closing rope 4: and the main hoisting drum 1% on which is wound the hoisting rope 3. The drum 13 has an enlargement or flange 13 and the drum 11 a like enlargement 1 1 Frictional connection is made between the shaft and the drum 13 by means of a disk 15 fixed to the shaft adjacent to the :arrying a two part clutch band 16 (see Figs. 6 and 8) which embraces a formed on the enlargement 13. Each part ofthe band'16 embraces one half of the flange 17 in the usual manner. The stationary end of half of the band 16 is securedlto a'bracket 18 bolted to the disk 15 and extending outwardly to a point over the flange 17 (see Fig. i) and the movable end is secured to a crank arm 19 on the end of a short shaft 20 ournaled in the disk 15 (see Figs. 6 and 3). The band 16 is set by two levers 21 one for each half band, each lever being secured to the outer end of the shaft 20 adjacent to the face of the disk. By the double clutch band 16 and its connections, the disk 15 is frictionally connected to the flange 1'7 and the drum 13 insuring the rotation of the latter.

Means are provided for keeping a constant tension on the clutch band 16 so that the drum 13 will slip on its shaft 12 when it subjected to a predetermined load caused by the rope exerting a pull in closing the bucket. As here shown, the end of each of the levers 21 is connected to the hub of the disk 15 by an adjusting screw 23 being held in adjusted position by springs 21 and adjusted by nuts 25 (see Fig. 6). The rotation of the shaft and disk 15 will thus exert a definite and constant slip friction on the drum 13.

For the purpose of checking the rotation of the disk 15 and the main shaft 1 make use of a band 26 embracing the disk 15 and operated by a weighted lever 2'? controlled by a solenoid 28 (see Fig. 6).

The main hoisting drum 14: is frictionally connected with a disk 29 fixed to the shaft 12 in the same manner that disk 15 is connected with the closing drum 13 except that the friction is controlled by the operator by means of a solenoidv and is not automatic as in the case of the closing drum which slips when a heavy load is applied. The two part clutch band 29 shown in Fig. 5 beyond the band brake 39 embraces the enlargement 141: (see Fig. 4) and is connected with levers 30 carried by the disk 29 in the same mannerthat the clutch band 16 is connected with the levers 21 carried by thedisk 15. The levers 30 are actuated by links 31 connected with a sleeve which is adapted to slide longitudinally on the shaft 12. This sleeve is operated by a pivoted yoke 33 (see Fig. 7) connecting, byv means of a link 3-1 with a weighted lever controlled by a connecting rod 36, the latter being shown in Fig. d as connecting witl the solenoid 37. Thus, when the current is turned ofi from the solenoid,.the clutch band 29 is set and the hoisting drum made to revolve with the disk and shaft. Band brakes are applied to the hoisting drum enlargement 1% and to the disk29, the former being coi'itrol-l ed b v the usual mechanical. foot in yer and the latter by a. solenoid.

As here shown, a band brake 39 (see Fig. 2) embraces the disk 29 and this brake is set by a weighted lever 40 on a shaft 41 (see Fig. 5). This lever 40 is connected to a solenoid 42 by which the brake is controlled.

a flange 29 in The band brake 43 which embraces the enlargement 14 of the main hoisting drum 14 is operated by a lever44 connected with a reach rod 45 (see Fig. 2) controlled by a foot lever or other controlling means not here shown. a

It will be understood that any clam shell bucket may be used and that the jaws of such a bucket are so weighted that when the bucket is suspended solely by the hoisting rope it will open and when a pull is exerted on the closing rope the jaws will close.

The electrical connections, switches, rheostats, etc., by which the various solenoids are controlled are not shown as they constitute no part of my invention and would tend to confuse rather than to make clear the essential character of the invention.

The operation of my hoisting mechanism so far as it relates to this invention is as follows The currents on all the solenoids are normally on, leaving the frictions released, the weights on all the levers acting to set the brakes when the solenoid current is shut off.

Assuming that the bucket is in its highest position, having been drawn up by the combined action of the hoisting and closing ropes and drums, the current is shut olf from the solenoids 28 and 42 setting the band brakes 26 and 29 on the disks 15 and 29 and thus holding the main shaft from rotating.

The band brake 43 on the hoisting drum and.

' the clutch band 29 connecting the disk 29 with the drum enlargement 14 are also applied. The clutch band 16 is automatically set as explained. This holds all parts clamped with the bucket in its upper position. To dump the bucket, the brake 43 holding the main drum is held while the brakes 26 on the disk 15 and the brake 39 on the disk 29 are released. The motor is then reversed enough to slack up the 010s ing rope and allowing the jaws to open and dump the bucket.

The brake 43 is now released and the motor is reversed unwinding both the hoisting and closing drums and lowering the bucket in its open position onto the mass of coal, the rope 3 taking the weight of the bucket and the rope 4 running slack. The clutch band 29 is now released by turning on the current of the solenoid 37, freeing the main drum from the disk 29 and the shaft 12 and leaving it slack and free to turn. The closing drum has now only an effective connection with the bucket.

The 'motor is now started up causing the closing drum to wind up the closing rope and closing the bucket in the mass of coal,

the hoisting rope being still slack.

hen the closing rope has closed the bucket and begins to feel the weight of the loaded bucket, the closing drum slips on its shaft, being held to the shaft with a limited friction as shown. During this time the motor has had time to come up 'to speed. When the bucket is closed the clutch band 29 is applied through the operation of the solenoid 37 by shutting off its current and the main drum is connected with the disk 29 and the shaft. It is thus thrown into action hauling taut the main hoisting rope and adding its pull to that of the closing rope, the bucket thus being lifted. The power is in this manner applied in two parts and the amount of current used is much less than if it went'on all at once as above pointed out. In these movements, the hand brake 26 and 39 controlling the main shaft, the band brake 43- controlling directly the hoisting drum, the clutch bands 16 and 29 controlling the connections between the disks or shafts and the closing and hoisting drums respectively are brought into use at the proper times as above indicated and are controlled by suitable levers, rheostats, etc, operated by the hands or feet of the operator.

The operations above described are repeated indefinitely, hoisting and lowering the bucket so that the power in hoisting the loaded bucket will be gradually applied, thus saving the excessive consumption of electrical or other power when starting and closing the bucket by a sudden application of power.

It will be understood that many forms of mechanism may be devised which will embody my invention while stillkeeping within the scope of the appended claims.

lVhile'I have indicated the action of the solenoids as releasing the several brakes, the brakes may be released by the weighted levers and set by the solenoids.

I claim 1. In a hoisting apparatus, the combination of a clam shell bucket, a main hoisting rope therefor, means for applying power to said hoisting rope, a closing rope for said bucket, power means and a frictional device for constantly applying the same to the closing rope, the friction thus applied being sufficient to'close the loaded bucket but insufficient to lift'it.

2. In a hoisting apparatus, the combination of a clam shell bucket a main hoisting rope and a main hoisting drum therefor, a closing rope for closing the jaws of the bucket, a closing drum therefor, power means for applying power to said closing drum and said main hoisting drum and mechanism for maintaining a constant frictional connection between said power means and the closing drum less than suflicient to hoist the loaded bucket.

3. In a hoisting apparatus, the combination of a clam shell bucket, a main hoisting connection between said shaft and said closing drum, less than suflicient to lift the loaded bucket.

4. In a hoisting apparatus, the combination of a clam shell bucket, a main hoisting rope and a main hoisting drum, a closing drum therefor, power means for applying power to said closing drum and main hoisting drum and mechanism for maintaining a constant frictional connection between said power means and said closing drum sufficient to close the bucket in the mass of material being hoisted but not sufficient to lift the bucket when loaded.

5. In a hoisting apparatus, the co-mbina tion of a clam shell bucket, a main hoisting rope and a main hoisting drum therefor, a closing rope for closing the jaws of said bucket, a closing drum therefor, an electric motor for applying power to said drums and means for maintaining constant frictional connection between said motor and said closing drum, less than necessary to hoist the bucket when loaded.

6. In a hoisting apparatus, the combination of a clam shell bucket, a main hoisting rope and a main hoisting drum therefor, a closing rope for closing the jaws of said bucket, a closing drum therefor, a power shaft on which said drums are loosely mounted, a disk secured on said shaft adjacent to each of said drums, friction mech anism connecting said disks with said drums and means for settingthe friction on said closing drum so that it will remain constant at a point less than sufficient to lift the loaded bucket.

7. In a hoisting apparatus, the combination of a clam shell bucket, a main hoisting rope and a main hoisting drum therefor, a closing rope for closing the two jaws of said bucket, a closing drum therefor, an electrically driven power shaft on which said drums are loosely mounted, a disk secured on said shaft adjacent to each of said drums, friction'mechanism connecting said disks with said drums, means for setting'the friction on said closing drum so Copies of this patent may be obtained for that it will remain constant at a point less than suficient to hoist the loaded bucket, and controlling means under the control of the operator for setting the friction on the of said disks, a crank arm on each of said shafts connecting with the respective clutch band, a lever on each of said shafts and means'for operating said levers to set said clutch bands. i

9. In a hoisting apparatus, the combination of a clam shell bucket, a main hoisting rope and a main hoisting drum therefor, a closing rope for closing the jaws of said bucket, a closing drum therefor, a power shaft on which said drums are loosely mounted, an electric motor for said shaft, constantly applied friction mechanism for connecting the shaft withsaid closing drum, brake mechanism for checking the rotation of said shaft, a friction mechanism for connecting the shaft with the main hoisting drum, controlling means for the same and a brake for said main hoisting drum.

10. In a hoisting apparatus, the combination of a clam shell bucket, a main hoisting rope and a main hoisting drum therefor, a closing rope for closing the jaws of said bucket, a closing drum therefor, an electric motor, a motor shaft on which said drums are loosely mounted, constantly applied friction mechanism for connecting the shaft with said closing drum, clutch mechanism for connecting the shaft with the main hoisting drum, a hand controller for the same and a brake for said main hoisting drum.

In testimony whereof signature.

J AMES B. PHILLIPS.

I have affixed my five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. 0. 

